What would it take to re-envision philanthropy as more than giving money? What would it look like to build a model of shared leadership between philanthropists and professionals that centers healthy relationships, communal learning, and joy? At Slingshot, these are some of the questions we explore in our quest to make the greatest impact on the Jewish community and beyond. One way we realize this work is through The Slingshot Fellowship, a 15-month program for young Jewish philanthropists to learn, share, build skills, and strengthen their identities.
Last month I joined the second cohort of Slingshot Fellows for their closing retreat. As I stared over the fence with my two-year-old, watching the current fellows doing yoga poses with goats climbing on their backs, it was hard not to smile. This, and eating some of the best food of my life, was only part of the magic that fueled my time in Serenbe, Georgia.
The true highlight was the rooftop Shabbat services, self-led by some of the amazing fellows. With the music, atmosphere, and friendship that filled the space, I’d be hard-pressed to come up with a time I’ve felt more spiritual or connected to my faith. I was filled with so much excitement about what their future holds and the impact they will make in our world after graduating from the program. I found myself reflecting on my own experience participating in the fellowship and how it has shaped the person I am today.
For a long time, I related to philanthropy only in terms of dollars. But the word philanthropy comes from the Greek word philanthrōpía, which means “love of humanity.” That’s a considerably more holistic and hopeful endeavor than money alone. “Love of humanity” — and the strength of peoplehood — is what I felt palpably as a Slingshot Fellow.
While my Fellowship experience during COVID had more zoom meetings and less goat yoga, I was still afforded the opportunity to make life-long friends, benefit from 1:1 mentorship, and engage with dynamic thought-leaders in the philanthropic space. Here are my top three takeaways from my time in the fellowship:
Partnership is just as important as dollars
How you donate is just as important as how much. Being a true partner means asking the right questions and putting aside personal interests. This means letting go of ego and understanding that staff are best equipped to know the needs of their organizations to make the greatest impact. It also means making unrestricted grants whenever possible, with multi-year commitments. Organizations need our trust and stability, especially during tumultuous times like the present.
Becoming a philanthropic leader is a lifelong journey
Prior to the fellowship, giving “Jewish” was always important to me. But what would it look like to instead give Jewishly? I talked about this a lot with my mentor over the course of 18 months. She helped me develop a personal giving statement and define what it is I care about the most. With her support, I was able to narrow my focus and craft a personal mission for the kind of impact I want to make. Spoiler alert: it’s using community-building to sustain the Jewish future.
There are many ways to nourish and support the Jewish ecosystem
Redefining leadership and effective philanthropy was, without a doubt, the greatest shift I experienced as a result of the Slingshot Fellowship. Financial support is critical to the sustainability of our Jewish non-profits, but there is so much more we can do to support the ecosystem. Joining boards, volunteering our time, utilizing our networks and our unique skills, all contribute to maximizing the impact and influence of the organizations we chertish. While I’m grateful for the grant-making skills I acquired, I have since discovered a deeper satisfaction in diving into leadership roles within the organizations I’m most passionate about. I am proud to serve on the board for the Jewish Fertility Foundation, whose mission is to provide financial and emotional support to those struggling to build their Jewish families. And because of my deep appreciation for what the fellowship has taught me, I’m beyond grateful to serve as the next Slingshot Board Chair as we strive to empower the next generation of Jewish leadership.
Joy is at the heart of the Slingshot Fellowship experience, and when I reflect on the energy of Cohort 2, it reminds me of a camp reunion — brimming with an almost child-like glee of being together in a shared space. In a time of so much heaviness, loneliness, and discord, we need that spirit and energy if we want the Jewish future to thrive — and if we want to build the next generation of Jewish philanthropic leaders. We cannot do this work alone. The Slingshot Fellowship is a rare and precious opportunity to build a community that we all need and deserve.
Together, we can shift the culture of Jewish life to meet new challenges — today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Applications are currently open for the third cohort! To learn more about what the Fellowship entails, retreat dates, and how to apply, click here.